Coming Soon: 9/11 Memorial Services… Without the Prayers

In a few short days, Americans will be drawn together to remember those who were lost ten years ago on September 11, 2001. It is a day in which we were all shaken to the core. It is also a day when countless leaders, both religious and political, called on all of us to turn to God in prayer. It was through these prayers that we were comforted as we sought strength to go on. My how times have changed.

First, there is New York City and the actions of Mayor Michael Bloomberg. As reported by Newsmax.com, Bloomberg is refusing to “allow members of the clergy to play a role in the city’s commemoration of the tenth anniversary of 9/11.”

“This is America, and to have a memorial service where there’s no prayer, this appears to be insanity to me,” said Rudy Washington, a deputy mayor under Bloomberg’s predecessor Rudy Giuliani, who organized a nationally televised interfaith ceremony at Yankee Stadium in the days after the 2001 attacks.

“I feel like America has lost its way,” added Washington. “I am very upset about it. This is crazy.”

New York City Council member Fernando Cabrera, a pastor in the Bronx, said faith was one of the “pillars that carried us through” the days after the attacks and called religious leaders “the spiritual and emotional backbone.”

In a story covered by the Culture and Media Institute, reporter Paul Wilson notes that the banning of religious participation at the New York 9/11 memorial services are being ignored by the major media networks.

Since the Wall Street Journal first reported on the exclusion of religion from the ceremony on August 24, ABC, CBS, and NBC have run 71 segments (Nexis searches of 9/11 OR September 11 from August 24 to September 4) mentioning 9/11. Not one of them mentioned the controversy over the absence of religious participation at the Ground Zero ceremony on 9/11.

The networks’ silence is all the more deafening since plenty of major news outlets have covered the exclusion of religion from the ceremony. Fox News Channel covered the controversy during numerous segments – The O’Reilly Factor, Hannity, The Five, and Fox News Watch all produced segments on the issue. USA Today’s editorial board also covered the debate on September 6. The Wall Street Journal, as previously noted, broke the story. The mainstream networks, however, remain mute.

Before you think that this omission is limited to New York, think again. As reported by FoxNews.com, in Washington, DC, a “weekend of religious-themed observances at Washington National Cathedral marking the tenth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks will include a Buddhist nun and an Imam, but not an evangelical Christian.”

“A Call to Compassion” will include an interfaith prayer vigil on Sept. 11. It will feature the dean of the Cathedral, the Bishop of Washington, a rabbi, Buddhist nun and incarnate lama, a Hindu priest, the president of the Islamic Society of North America and a Muslim musician.

However, Southern Baptists, representing the nation’s largest Protestant denomination, were not invited to participate – and neither were leaders from any evangelical Christian organization.

So… even when there is religion, there are only certain religions allowed.

Tony Perkins, who heads the Family Research Council, blasted the program as “clearly politically correct” and said “the lineup was better suited for the United Nations than the United States.”

“There’s no doubt that this is clearly politically correct,” Perkins told Fox News Radio. “It is historically inaccurate that in times of need or mourning that Americans pray to the Hindu or Buddhist Gods or the God of Islam. America is overtly a Christian nation that prays to the Judeo-Christian God – and specifically to Jesus Christ.”

So what is going on here? We have an event that actually brought the nation closer to God through prayer, and now we remember the events of that day by turning away from God?

I wonder who these political leaders will be turning to when the next attack comes.

Please leave a comment below.

52 Comments

capricorn1September 7, 2011 at 8:16 am

political AND leaders in the same sentance is ludicris at best.these mealy mouth politicians who would and have sold there soul to satan or political corectness who by the way are the same for votes should be whipped in the streets for what destruction they have wreeked on the american people,they are trying to take christ out of our lives and embrace islam as a peaceful religon.moral decay amongst the black population is staggering,having babies to get a check,also abortions are rampant in the black community,there are way to many mothers black and white who have no fathers to help raise kids,the father is abscent.and look at the results of these kids today,they have no manners or morals.liberals have taken away responsibility and morals.

I have a prayer request. There’s a lady I’ve known forever.
She’s very sick. On top of that, she’s being abused by
those to whom she has given everything. Lies about
her abound, and seem to come from all sides. Just
breaks my heart. Seems there’s nothing I can do alone.
But maybe, if we join in and lift her up together we can
heal her. She’s well over 200 years old, but way too
young to die. Her name is *America* … and I love
her!

PLEASE KEEP THIS E-MAIL GOING…

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BrokerbobSeptember 7, 2011 at 4:16 pm

ATHEISM has become the New National Religion.

God Help Us!!!

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inluminatuoSeptember 8, 2011 at 8:26 am

When George Bush left office the Christian Holy Spirit of Individual rights, responsibility and freedoms departed the White House Temple and the unholy arrived for secular Socialist business as usual. Nature abhors a vacuum, and when the Temple of the Body, just as the Temple of the building becomes so unclean that the Holy Spirit can no longer dwell there, what arrives to replace it is not something we Christian Americans would wish to abide. Enter Barak Obama and his Secular Socialist “Yes We Can” Self-God dispenser of secular wealth redistribution from whom all Socialist blessings and necessities must now flow,,,,OR ELSE!

Who and what you turn to in times of trouble and distress defines who and what you worship. So tell me fellow Christian Americans who voted in the new Dark Prince, just how reliable a savior has this minion of manipulation proven to be? Where now are your Constitutional Freedoms to worship, guaranteed by the Constitutional founding hand of Providence that you so quickly turned your backs upon to follow this feel good Dark Prince of profane pleasure pandering? We have sold our Constitutional Christian birthright for 30 pathetic pieces of socialist silver. Build more towers of Babel if you will to the edification of the man-God Babbling politicians and watch God laugh as they tumble to the ground into dust from whence they came. Then ask yourself, just where is the security in your Socialism, where is the Security in your Social Security? None of you will live forever, but hopefully long enough to turn from the madness and rejoin the path of creating that which your true creator intended. You cannot continue to vote these killers of religious freedom into office and still call yourself a Christian, let alone an American. You were made for much better things than allowing these atheist Gods of Self interest to rule over you.

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cinbadSeptember 7, 2011 at 8:33 am

Even the dopey singers at the MTV awards gave God the credit for their success. This Bloomberg character is sure a far cry from Rudy. He has undone almost everything good Guliani did for New York City. I’m sure the American people will note the glaring ommission of a “Christian” presence in the ceremony and be keenly aware that a muslim is participating. Can I say only one word? OUTRAGE!

Yes, I agree! I find that man (Bloomberg) to be worthy of contempt. Christianity has no place in his agenda but he sure does bend over backwards for the Muslims. So much for his allegiance to God!

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FlaJimSeptember 7, 2011 at 1:32 pm

cinbad, you’re assuming many people will be watching this ceremony since many, like me, refuse to watch any event where Commander Zero is present. We know there won’t be any mention of moslems or al Qaida.

In addition, I read in two different sources this morning that the first responders to attack haven’t been invited either. Hope that info is incorrect because that would make this whole commemoration a complete travesty.

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BrokerbobSeptember 7, 2011 at 4:20 pm

NO First Responders, No Prayer, and God forbid there is any mention of the Muslims Devil Worshippers who murdered 3000 of our friends and family.
OOPS, did I say God? Don’t tell the ACLU

Don’t bad mouth the Muslims or they will Cut Your Head Off

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onewildmanSeptember 7, 2011 at 9:17 am

Bloomberg should be ran out of the United States because actions like this divide the people not unite them. This is just plain wrong. At lest this should be the straw that broke the camels back and Bloomberg will never get elected to any job again. He is not even fit to be the dog catcher..
This makes me so angry. I would hope that people in attendance will breakout with the song “He’s Got The Whole World In His Hand’. After that I hope they shout out “Praise The Lord” over and over, I wish I could be there just to do that. Christians should not have to shut away their religion in a closet as if it were something bad.
This has to stop!
IMPEACH OBAMA NOW! ! ! !

Only one church was destroyed during the attack. The St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Christian Church. The church was there even before the World Trade Center was built. Corporations and builders repeatedly tried to buy the very valuable property that the church was built on but the little church held on to their faith in Jesus Christ and stayed put. Only the muslim attack on our nation was able to bring the church down. The muslims have been attacking Orthodox Christianity for as long as there have been muslims.
All Christians should have a place at the memorial but certainly the Orthodox Christians who lost their church should not be barred from being there.http://www.stnicholasnyc.com/

Everyone, Please do not become excited. i realize to many people Catholics are not considered Christians but most major regions will be represented at the National Cathedral.

The Jewish faith has different branches, the Muslim faith has different sects, Buddhist, Shintos, Brhamans, Hindus all have different sects. The Christian religion also has many branches. Catholics happen to be Christians so the Christian religion is being represented.

If each branch of each major religion was to be represented you would have at least one thousand rabbis, priests, pastors, non Christian monks, etc all at the pulpit. The guests would be in that Cathedral until the end of the world while each representative of each line of each major religion had his or her say so and prayer.

Ask yourselves one queston in all fairness. How many different denominations of Christian religions are there?

OldLady72, All Christian faiths believe in the same GOD and pray to the same GOD. You statement is silly at best and worst juvenile. There are many sects of all faiths but for you to make a statement like Catholics are christian too as if the majority of people didn’t know that. A christian prayer is a christian prayer no matter which of the three thousand plus denominations says the prayer.
You talk like a liberal of little knowledge of religious experience. Why does it matter to anyone that there are many denominations of Christianity? This subject is about that there will be no prayer and that is simply wrong!

IMPEACH OBAMA NOW! ! ! ! !

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OldLady72September 7, 2011 at 11:37 am

onewildllman,
onewildman,

My reply is not silly. In the comments some peopele were upset because Baptists will not be represented at the National Cathedral and some were upset that Evangelical Cjhristians would not be represented at the National Csthedrall during the 9/11 service. Some Christians do believe that Catholics are not Christians. As a Catholic I have been told this straiight to my face. After 9/11 I was handed out literature in a rest area in Kansas stating that Catholics were not Christians and were the church of Satan. I do speak from experience. I did not say all people, I said many people.

As for the Big celebration at the memorial site of 9/11 I think not having prayer is a slap in the face to the majority of Americans. First responders should be represented at the service. That too is a slap in their face.

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onewildmanSeptember 7, 2011 at 11:56 am

OldLady if anyone told you Catholics were not christian then their ignorance was showing. If it bothered you then that is your personal feelings. Your faith as a Christian should be unshakable especially when you know the truth. I myself am Southern Baptiste and was brought up believing that a prayer to God is a prayer to God regardless whose lips it comes from.
I also don’t know why you think that all these different religions and denominations would be demanding or requesting time to say their own prayer. These Priest, Rabbi’s, Ministers and Pastors would most likely not engage in that type of bickering. I think that the fact they are educated they understand the logistics and time constraints involved. These are for the most part reasonable people.

IMPEACH OBAMA NOW! ! ! ! !

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linSeptember 7, 2011 at 12:04 pm

Ever hear of one of the many “branches” of Christianity called “Protestants”? Seriously? You think all Protestants should be lumped in with Catholics? Wow… Once again, I’m agreeing with onewildman; that is incredibly silly and arrogant to think that because you are Catholic, your religion is best to represent all.

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wr47September 7, 2011 at 3:32 pm

hey old lady, Christians do not dwell in regions, major or otherwise. They are the backbone of this country. They are one faith. They were the building block our forefathers had in mind. They were
mentioned in the preamble, the Declaration of Independance and also in the Constitution. So I would presume that many of them had never even heard of a muslim, a buddhist or even a racist.
I would assume that God was on the mind of every one of them. That’s what made this country great, so stir the pot if you will but dont piss us off anymore!!!

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peddlar06September 7, 2011 at 11:06 am

Mr. Bloomberg will hopefully be defeated if & and when he runs for ANYTHING again. This man is a disgrace to the United States of America. As the mayor of the largest city in the country he should be totally ashamed of himself for this completely ignorant decision. We MUST get these people out of office, nationwide.

If this is not enough to wake up Christians, what could ever be ?? This great country was founded on Judeo/Christian principles and the far left wants to turn us into a godless society. They use our principles when it helps them, ie. give to the poor – give your fair share – pay more taxes and give to programs that help the poor so we can siphon off more for our people and our agenda, but oops -don’t pray publically ??? There is power in numbers and we have a lot of numbers. There has to be something we can do with our numbers besides sitting on our hands until the election. Where will we be by then? We thought the goal was to separate prayer and government – wrong !! The goal is to separate prayer and our society. Communist countries don’t allow God publically. He is an intrusion to their agenda. But . . . God will have the last word.

DIALOGUE SUCH AS “BLOOMBURG IS A TOTAL EMBARASSMENT” SEEMS SO LAME IN LIGHT OF THE GRAVITY OF THE SUBJECT MATTER. WE ARE NOT SPEAKING OF A COMMENT SUCH AS “I HATE THE COLOR PINK”. THOSE OF US OF FAITH ARE COMING TO THE POINT WE MUST “STAND UP AND BE HEARD”, THE “SILENT MAJORITY” MUST BECOME MORE THAT A “MAJORITY” THAT SITS AT OUR TV OR COMPUTER AND SAYS TSK., TAK., THEY SHOULDN’T DO THAT. THE GODLESS LEFT SEEMS TO PRESUME TO SAY AND DO LITERALLY ANYTHING AND GET BY WITH IT. CASE IN POINT: THE SHOOTING IN AZ OF CONGRESSWOMAN GABBY GIFFORDS. IT WAS PORTRAID IN NATIONAL MEDIA AS BEING THE RESULT OF “RADICAL” CONSERVATIVES/TEA PARTY NUTS CAUSING A BREAKDOWN IN CIVILATY. JUST YESTERDAY WE SAW AFL/CIO LEADER HOFFA CALL TEA PARTY PARTICIPANTS “SONS-OF-*******” AND CALL FOR OBAMA’S ARMY TO DO WHAT?? IT WAS A “NOT SO VEILED” THREAT OF VIOLENCE ACCORDING TO A FOX NEWS POLL WHERE 92% SAID IT WAS A CALL TO VIOLENCE. I SAY ENOUGH! WHILE MOST OF US ABHORT VIOLENCE WE MUST CONFRONT IT WHERE FOUND EVEN IN VERBAL OUTBURSTS.

If the crowd stands up and breaks out in “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” it would be the greatest Memorial Commemoration in the last 150 years. It gives me shivers to even think about it.
Oh, I hear you were arrested at the 10 year anniversary memorial, what for.
For singing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” boy I’d like to be there and I’d like to see it happen. And yes I’m serious!

and by the way vietnamvet Welcome Home and Thank You For Your Service!!

That’s one of the best reasons to get arrested on purpose I have ever herd.

IMPEACH OBAMA NOW! ! ! !

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GA1776September 7, 2011 at 11:50 am

SORRY, I GOT OFF MESSAGE IN MY LAST POST. THE 911 CERAMONY, WHILE IN NY, NY IS NOT A CITY OR STATE EVENT. IT IS A NATIONAL EVENT. TO HAVE ‘DOOMBURG” CONTROL WHAT IS AND IS NOT ALLOWED IS GARBAGE. IN THE FINAL ANALASYS THOSE ATTENDING CONTROL THE EVENT. IF “**** FOR BRAINS” WANTS HIS OWN PERSONAL EVENT THEN LET HIM HAVE IT. AN IMPROMPTU EVENT CAN BE HELD ANYWHERE.

If God is prohibited so am I. This country was built on prayer and belief. These are being taken away from us and I, for one, will NOT allow it to be taken from me. I believe in God and I pray for all of us.
I will not attend “services” where prayer is prohibited and/or clergy is denied. Of course, you CAN pray and if I were there, I most certainly would pray! In the meantime, I will do so at home – or wherever I happen to be.

I was referring to the services at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. This is a Catholic Cathedral. As Christians we are all getting on the offensive & defensive. I am not saying anything bad about any religion, denomination, etc. I was stating a plain fact as it applied to my experiences and to many others in my religion. I was not being arrogant. People were complaining about denominations that were being left out in the ceremonies that are to be held at the National Cathedral commenorating 9/11. I was definding not meaning to offend.

You may consider me arrogant, that is your perogative. I believe anyone that follows the teachings of Our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ is a Christian what ever denomination they may be The common factor is Jesus the Christ and God, the God that the Lord’s prayer is said to. Everyone is taking all of this so personally and my original comment was not meant to be offensive, so “mea culpa”. for all of the people I have offended “forgive me!”

OldLady, you are misinformed about the National Cathedral and have made a mistake common among people who associate the word “cathedral” with things Roman Catholic. Contrary to such misconceptions, certain mainline Protestant denominations also have cathedrals.

The Washington National Cathedral is officially named the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, is a cathedral of the Episcopal Church. Mainline Protestant. Your arguments representing it as having something to do with Roman Catholicism are moot.

I’m not offended by your comments and mean no criticism of your other points. Just thought I’d correct the record in this one particular point.

Look up the details by entering “Washington National Cathedral” at Wikipedia.

By the way, I’m Roman Catholic and I’m happy to accept and participate in a national commemoration prayer service by any denomination directed to any Person of the Trinity. The Lord of Lord and King of Kings hears all prayers. During non-christian prayers, I just quietly say my own prayers. No sweat. I accept the sincerity of those participating and ask Our Lord to accept all the prayers offered up.

I think that may be what you were trying to say.

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mrstyperSeptember 7, 2011 at 2:45 pm

By the way, I refer you to Wikipedia to gain information on the denominational affiliation of the National Cathedral because the official website of the cathedral itself does a very good job of rarely mentioning what denomination it claims. I found two mentione of its affiliation – one in it history pages:

On January 6, 1893, Congress granted a charter (incorporation papers) to the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation of the District of Columbia, allowing it to establish a cathedral and institutions of higher learning. Signed by President Benjamin Harrison, this charter is the birth certificate of Washington National Cathedral.

And in its mission statement:

Washington National Cathedral is a church for national purposes called to embody God’s love and to welcome people of all faiths and perspectives. A unique blend of the spiritual and the civic, this Episcopal Cathedral is a voice for generous-spirited Christianity and a catalyst for reconciliation and interfaith dialogue to promote respect and understanding. We invite all people to share in our commitment to create a more hopeful and just world.

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rockycatSeptember 7, 2011 at 12:49 pm

Great comments ! I hear you Samc and GA1776. Genesal had a great idea. Break into “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Even just the chorus would be wonderful: Glory, Glory, Hallelujah. Glory, Glory, Hallelujah. Glory, Glory, Halelujah. His Truth is marching on. We have had an idea problem. No one knows what to do to stop them. Sitting on our hands with our mouths shut or staying home with our mouths shut is not an option. What can they do, arrest us all? Christians all over the world are being persecuted for their faith. Many believe it is coming to America. Ordering people not to pray in public is the start. Liberals are taking over our schools, our media (our local news is being taken over by big liberal news), our tv shows . . . sin city is expanding into a godless, sin country. Glory, Glory, Hallelujah. His truth is marching on. . . . . Spread the Word.

rockycat, I agree with you. If I could be there I would be and I would be praying…..and everyone would know that I was praying to God. We can’t stop them by keeping our mouths shut.
Thank you, SamC

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JDZSeptember 7, 2011 at 1:28 pm

If you recall, Bloomberg was successful in getting the term limits changed in New York that allowed him to run for Mayor a third term. Somehow, the city council held a special election and the citizens of the city voted to allow this long held policy to be changed for Bloomberg. He may be the Mayor forever, apparently, since he has political control of that city and the term limits were removed. New York could become another Chicago which has been run by the Daly family for decades.

So, Bloomberg feels he has the power to do whatever he wants in that city, although, in this case, it is a national issue, not just a New York issue, and he should be giving that more consideration. The country at large does not want the Mosque built near ground city, and wants prayer to be a part of the ceremony regarding 9/11. Why is he refusing to listen to the country???

Why is Bloomberg refusing to listen to the country ? The same reason 90% of the media is refusing to listen to the country. They are controlled by the one party that has the power and money and the means to do whatever necessary to change America into what they want it to be. Have one person in the liberal media start to speak up for the people as far as prayer or anything else truly representing conservative values and see what happens to them. The big liberal media is currently in the process of taking over our local news. The have a specific agenda.

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liberty49September 7, 2011 at 2:11 pm

I understand that the courts have just Okayed the building of a 14 story Mosque near ground zero. It seems to make no difference that the people don’t want it, except the Muslims and Bloomberg! but that’s alright, our God is bigger than their God and can overcome anything. So I will continue to pray and bombard my congressmen demanding that they follow the Constitution and the will of the People!

God (the Lord Jesus) is marching on regardless of what godless people choose to impose on the silent majority. Prayer is for one purpose and that is that God’s will be carried out. This is what the Lord purposed Himself to do as Jesus who uplifted His perfect humanity into the Godhead as only He could do. So HE is LORD of all, not Bloomburb or his cronies.

America is a divided house and we know what happens to a divided house. The liberals are in the self and are not coming to the conservative side. The Christians are all that are holding our country together so far, but the Feds are about to bury us with the onslaught of more printed money, which will devalue everything that everyone has. And it will happen suddenly, so prepare yourselves.

Picture this: Bloomberg has his memorial event and the only people that show up are the religious leaders he invited – no one else. His memorial event would be a total flop; particularly, if everyone else who wanted to have and participate in a memorial service with prayer and rememberance congregate somewhere else, along with the 9/11 responders.

Immediately after 9/11, there was memorial service at the National Cathedral. The speakers were a Catholic bishop, a rabbi, an imam, and the Rev. Billy Graham. With the exception of Billy Graham, the speakers recognized that the victims were of diverse backgrounds, and couched their words in a purely ecumenical fashion. The three gave beautiful elogies, only Graham felt he had to keep referrring to Jesus Christ, an affront to many of the victims and their families.

Yes, I have no use for Bloomberg. At the very least he could have placed at least 6 on the podium. And surviving families and first responders should be seated in the front rows of any memorial service.

This is a sign that God will surely judge america as we are beginning to see more and more of if my people who are called by name will humble themselves and pray our leaders are bringing Gods judgement by trying to placate all religions GOD Have MERCY ON THOSE PETHETIC SOULS as they will only see the truth when it is too late.